Met Office issues UK weather forecast after recent 'anticyclonic gloom'

People across the UK will be hoping for brighter weather this week, after the "anticyclonic gloom" that has blanketed the country.

During the first 10 days of November, England on average saw just 1.7 hours of sunshine, while Wales had an average of 1.7 hours, and Northern Ireland 1.6 hours. Scotland meanwhile enjoyed 10 hours.

Amid frustrations over dismal weather conditions, the Met Office explained the reasons behind a period of grey mist and fog, saying it was caused by "anticyclonic gloom”.

In a post on X, the Met Office explained what the term was after the country saw several days of “claustrophobic” low cloud, writing: “This can occur when high pressure traps a layer of moisture near to the earth’s surface, bringing a prolonged period of dull and cloudy weather, with mist and fog also possible. How would you describe today’s weather?”

Despite the recent gloomy period, the forecaster is predicting brighter spells for the country this week, with its general forecast anticipating a "largely dry and bright day" for many on Monday, followed by a dry and bright day on Tuesday.

• Read more: Met Office warns anticyclonic gloom is making the weather especially dreary (MyLondon)

'What is anticyclonic gloom'

Anticyclonic gloom can occur when "high pressure traps a layer of moisture near to the earth's surface", the Met Office says.

This brings "a prolonged period of dull and cloudy weather, with mist and fog also possible," the forecasting service adds.

Met Office presenter and meteorologist Alex Deakin says that while high pressure is "often our friend in the summer" as it brings sunny skies, in the autumn and winter it can generate dreary and dull conditions.

An anticyclone simply means high-pressure, he says, adding that these weather systems are often "big, slow-moving things" – creating conditions for light winds with "not a lot going on in the atmosphere".

"When you get a layer of moisture trapped under that high pressure system, it just makes for cloudy skies – day, after day, after day."

Deakin said a weather front moving into the UK on Sunday set conditions for a return of sunny skies for most in the country early this week.

Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK.

London and the South-East

• Monday

Dry and widely sunny through the day, though some patchy cloud will likely keep Kent a little cloudier at times. Mainly light winds but becoming rather breezy towards the coast. Maximum temperature 12 °C.

• Tuesday to Thursday

Mainly dry with sunny spells by day, though probably turning cloudier by Thursday. Chance of overnight mist and fog. Temperatures near average, but overnight frosts possible. Rather breezy on Tuesday.

South-West

• Monday

Early cloud and light rain soon clear south leaving a dry day with plenty of hazy sunshine. Light winds, and feeling warm in sheltered, sunny spots. Maximum temperature 14 °C.

• Tuesday to Thursday

Remaining settled this week with high pressure bringing largely dry and fine conditions. Turning cloudier each day, but feeling rather chilly, and breezy at times along the south coast.

Midlands

• Monday

West Midlands: Chilly to start, but soon brightening up with plenty of sunshine throughout the day. Remaining settled with light northerly winds persisting under an area of high pressure. Maximum temperature 11 °C.

East Midlands: Dry and widely sunny, but feeling cooler than of late. Mainly light winds, but breezier at the coast. Maximum temperature 10 °C.

• Tuesday to Thursday

West Midlands: High pressure lingers through the week bringing further dry and fine conditions. Some sunny spells, though turning cloudier each day, and feeling rather chilly by night under clearer skies.

East Midlands: Plenty of dry weather with sunny spells by day, though turning cloudier by Thursday. Some overnight mist and fog patches likely. Temperatures near average, but overnight frosts possible at first.

North-East

• Monday

Dry and sunny but cooler than of late. Mainly light winds, but occasionally breezier, especially at the coast. Maximum temperature 10 °C.

• Tuesday to Thursday

Plenty of dry weather with sunny spells by day, though turning cloudier by Thursday. Some overnight mist and fog patches likely. Temperatures near average, but overnight frosts possible at first.

North-West

• Monday

After a chilly start, plenty of bright, sunny spells welcome the new working week. High pressure brings light winds and settled conditions, feeling warm in the sunshine. Maximum temperature 12 °C.

• Tuesday to Thursday

High pressure lingers across the UK bringing sunny spells by day, but chillier nights under clearer skies. Becoming slightly cloudier each day, with patchy light rain in places by Thursday.

Scotland

• Monday

It will be a dry and much brighter day with sunny spells and light winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.

• Tuesday to Thursday

Dry, bright Tuesday and Wednesday. Cloud spreads southeast from early Wednesday with a band of patchy light rain passing south later. Thursday, cloudy but dry with a few showers later.

Northern Ireland

• Monday

It will be a dry and much brighter day with sunny spells and light winds. Maximum temperature 10 °C.

• Tuesday to Thursday

Mainly dry, settled weather for much of this period. There will be sunny spells by day but overnight fog patches will be slow to clear.

Wales

• Monday

Chilly to start, however clear skies bring plenty of sunny spells across Wales through the day. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine with light winds, though perhaps cloudier into the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.

• Tuesday to Thursday

High pressure brings further settled conditions this week, with sunny spells interspersed with cloudier intervals. The odd spot of rain may be felt at times, but generally dry and fine.